Forest Stewardship

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WSU  Ext.  FoRestry & WA Dept. of Natural Resources

WSU Extension Forestry

 Washington State University Extension's Puget Sound Forest Stewardship Program has a host of fantastic forestry education and landowner resources. To read an overview of the programs and services of the WSU Extension Forestry Program, click here.

WICD is often asked: Who can I get to assist me in developing a forest management plan if Whidbey Island Conservation District staff are unavailable? WSU Extension Forestry has developed and maintains a "Forester & Silvicultural Contractor Directory" for landowners in the Puget Sound region. A consulting forester provides professional forest management services to landowners, while a silvicultural contractor provides the labor and equipment to perform forest management tasks, including site preparation, tree planting, vegetation control, pre-commercial thinning, slash disposal, etc. This searchable online directory is state-wide in scope and up-to-date. You can hire a consulting forester to help you develop your forest management plan.

Here are some additional resources worth exploring:

• Visit the WSU Extension Forestry North Puget Sound Region homepage at http://forestry.wsu.edu/nps/
• WSU Forestry has a host of online learning modules 
• Check out upcoming forestry classes
• Check out the extensive forestry resource online library
• Sign up for the ​WSU Extension Puget Sound Forest Stewardship E-Newsletter
• ​Check out WSU Ext.'s YouTube Forestry Channel​​

WA Dept. of Natural Resources

Washington State Department of Natural Resources maintains a Small Forest Landowner Office where they seek to provide you and other family forest owners with technical and financial assistance that helps you meet your objectives for your lands. 

Here are some additional resources worth exploring:

• Visit the WA DNR Small Forest Landowner Office homepage at https://www.dnr.wa.gov/sflo
• Forest Stewardship & Technical Assistance Foresters are available for consultation by phone, email, and, if you own 10 or more acres, through an in-person site visit - contact information by region can be found here
• You can learn about DNR financial assistance programs by clicking here
• If you have questions about timber management and harvest, you can learn more at DNR's Technical Assistance page here 
• Check out DNR's Forest Health Resources page
  

forest stewardship resources

Forest Stewardship Resources

Getting Started with Forest Management on Your Property

• Forest Ecology in Washington
• Backyard Forestry in Western Washington
• Silviculture for Washington Family Forests
• Stewardship Handbook for Family Forest Owners
• Assessing Forest Health
• Planting Forest Seedlings
• WDFW Living with Wildlife Resources
• Reducing Fire Risk on Your Forest Property (Check out WICD's Firewise resources)
• WA Dept. of Commerce Designated Forest Land Program
• ​WA Dept. of Commerce Guidelines for Timber Plan

federal assistance programs

This section is currently under construction. Please contact Kelsi Mottet at (888) 678-4922 if you have specific questions related to federal level financial assistance programs for your forest property. She welcomes your questions.

cost share & tax assistance PROGRAMS

This section is currently under construction. Please contact Kelsi Mottet at (888) 678-4922 if you have specific questions related to cost-share & tax incentive financial assistance programs for your forest property. She welcomes your questions.

Forest Stewardship begins with a forest plan. As a landowner, a forest management/stewardship plan helps you to optimize a mix of conservation benefits, including timber, wildlife habitat, recreation, aesthetic value, and many others, by providing a working guide for you now and well into the future. A good forest management/stewardship plan combines both the geographic and natural characteristics of your woodlot with your conservation goals and objectives to produce a set of forest management recommendations.

Whidbey Island Conservation District staff provide free, non-regulatory and no obligation technical forest planning services - including, but not limited to the development of a forest management plan - for Whidbey Island forest landowners. Staff can also provide guidance on a number of cost-share programs and tax benefit programs for which forest landowners may qualify. Visit our Cost Share & Tax Incentive Programs page to learn more. We can also assist you in finding the answers to a wide variety of forestry questions you may have, including: 

• The health of your forest acreage
• How to best manage your timber for current or future harvests
• Vegetation management for forest & bluff slope stabilization
• Best Management Practices for forests through USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service
• ...and much, much more!

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